A fire-resistant damper of special construction technique and application is a construction technique for sealing fire compartments. It mainly consists of a shut-off device integrated into a fire-resistant separating element, a smoke detection and triggering device and cover grilles.

Fire-resistant dampers of special construction technique and application need to be distinguished from fire shutters as well as shut-off devices for preventing the spread of fire in ventilation ducts (fire dampers).

Regulatory framework

DIBt granted national technical approvals (abZ) for these closures until 2017 (which partially also contained product specifications).

Since July 2017, general construction technique permits (aBG) are granted for corresponding applications under the revised Model Building Code. If product properties need to be regulated, separate verifications of fitness for use, mainly national technical approvals (abZ), are granted.

Fire dampers in accordance with EN 15650 with the corresponding declaration of performance under Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (Construction Products Regulation) can be used as shut-off devices. Otherwise documentation on fire-resistance tests carried out based on a test plan agreed with DIBt and based on DIN 4102-5 needs to be submitted.

Smoke detection and triggering devices for fire and smoke dampers covered by a national technical approval can be used as smoke detection and triggering devices. Otherwise functionality verification based on a test plan agreed with DIBt needs to be submitted.

The cover grilles on both sides of the shut-off device must be made of non-combustible building materials with a mesh size of ≤ 20 mm x 20 mm and a wire width of 2 mm.

Please also refer to the relevant federal state provisions following MVV TB 2020/1, Section A 2.1.3.3.1.

'If vents may be made in separating walls, the closures of such openings must be fitted with a smoke detection and triggering device and prevent the passage of fire and smoke according to the fire resistance of the separating walls, at least in the scenario of a standard fire as defined in DIN 4102-2:1977-09. The Technical Rule given in SectionA 2.2.1.2 must be observed in order to meet these requirements. For lack of a generally recognised technical rules for the design and execution of applications using such closures, a verfication pursuant to Section 16a MBO is required.'